6 Easy Steps To Prevent Split Ends

Split ends are the splitting of a hair strand and they are thee number 1 enemy against healthy looking hair or hair growth. Split ends lead to hair breakage and frizzy, dull looking hair.

When it comes to split ends the only way to deal with them is to cut them off. Hair cannot “heal” or “mend.” Hair is a dead organism and a hair strand cannot regenerate. It is better to prevent split ends and here are our suggestions, especially for African hair:

Seal Hair Ends. The splitting of hair occurs at the tips or ends of hair because it is usually the driest part of our hair. It is also the oldest part of our hair. Seal hair ends after moisturising by applying an oil or butter to the tips.

Protect Against Heat. Limit the use of heat on hair, especially hand-held hair dryers and straightening irons. If you use them then use a heat protectant and set heat at lowest; and use a protein treatment prior to use.

Be Gentle. Treat your hair gently like the sensitive fabric that it is. Everyday wear and tear will wear out the outer layer of your hair that protects it. Try not to comb or brush hair every day. Use a leave-in conditioner and moisturiser prior to brushing or combing. Cover your hair when going to bed.

Moisturise! Moisturise! Moisturise! Natural hair is naturally susceptible to split ends because it is naturally dry. Dry, thirsty hair combined with daily manipulation like combing, will result in split ends because the outer protective layer gets warn off easily.

Get A Regular Trim. It may be harder to identify split ends when you have very curly, tightly coiled hair. So it is best to assume you have them and get a trim of half a centimetre every 6 months.

Deep Condition. Do a deep conditioning treatment every time you wash your hair. Alternate between a protein deep conditioning treatment and a moisturising deep conditioning treatment. A protein treatment infuses hair with protein to keep hair strong and able to grow longer. A moisture treatment hydrates hair so it is soft and doesn’t get dry and eventually lose protein.